Christiansburg Farmers Market now held at Huckleberry Park

Abby Whitt
Contributing writer

The Christiansburg Farmers Market will take place at Huckleberry Park, under the pavilion near the splash pad, for the remainder of its 2025 season.

The town and organizers received “significant negative feedback” while having the market in the Christiansburg Recreation Center parking lot, said Market Manager Jennifer Lester, with the lack of shade, heat from the asphalt and shared parking spaces with rec center patrons.

Changing the venue has helped the market increase foot traffic, Lester said, and it has been more comfortable for vendors and visitors alike.

“Our first market at Christiansburg Huckleberry Park was our highest attended market at the time, outshining the previous market at the Christiansburg Recreation Center in both attendance and sales,” she said.

Plus, it’s close to the dog park, splash pad, playground, restrooms and walking paths, and the pavilion offers respite from inclement weather and helps vendors keep their wares dry during summer storms.

The market’s long-term goal, however, is still to have a structure built downtown.

“For the time being, our market is thriving at Christiansburg Huckleberry Park, and we plan to keep our market at this location until the end of the 2025 season,” Lester said.

Shopping at the farmers market has many benefits, both for consumers, and local and regional farmers. Regular offerings include everything from seasonal produce, fresh eggs and meat, to crafts and flower arrangements, candles, tinctures, specialty drinks, hotdogs, snow cones and more.

“Our market has a little bit of everything,” Lester said. “We do not have a huge market with dozens of vendors, but our market offers an intimate and easy shopping experience for everyone. Our vendors offer quality products at reasonable prices — that is a chance to support local farmers, artisans and small businesses. Our vendors work extremely hard and are extremely dedicated individuals both personally and professionally.”

The Christiansburg Farmers Market also offers the opportunity to use SNAP and EBT benefits by purchasing tokens at the Information Booth to trade for products on sale. The Information Booth is typically at the entrance of the market.

Lester noted that the market is an “opportunity for the community to build relationships” and that products are specific to the vendors.

At the July 24 market, dozens of children ran through the splash pad as vendors greeted customers under the pavilion. A young man played the piano to add to the ambiance, and patrons meandered from booth to booth.

“We are lucky to be surrounded by the folks in our community who either attend as a vendor, food truck, musician or the supportive members of our area who support our market recreationally on a weekly basis,” Lester said.

Vendors included Alana Benvides of Atypical Botanicals, which offered microgreens and grow kits; Sarah Montgomery of Whimsical Goddess Designs, which offered signs, earrings, jewelry, basket toppers and more; Susan Hogan of Blue Dog Art Co., which offered candles, succulents and freshly-picked wildflowers; Bruce Caldwell of Cavalier Farm, which offered fresh produce, such as eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, peaches and more; and several others.

Planning a successful farmers market season takes months of hard work, Lester said, often starting just after the new year. Lester said that each year, organizers assess how market operations can evolve to become smoother and more welcoming both for the community and vendors.

“This foundational preparation sets us up for success in recruiting and retaining vendors, as well as planning our partnerships with additional local businesses,” she said.

For the 2025 season, Lester said, the market has been able to incorporate new collaborations with local businesses to draw more community members out to experience it, such as a Touch-a-Truck event with the help of Christiansburg EMS, the police department, fire department, public works; a blood drive; and events with the animal shelter, New River Community Action, The Christiansburg Institute, and more.

“Our in-season efforts are mostly retention of vendors, and shoppers,” Lester said.

Those efforts include posting on their Facebook page multiple times a week and confirming availability of vendors, musicians and food trucks.

Lester added, “Our preparation and work are constant, however what we have seen through our public, and vendor attendance and feedback, has shown that what we are doing is paying off.”

The Christiansburg Farmers Market takes place at Huckleberry Park (300 Huckleberry Park Drive) each Thursday from 3-7 p.m. until Oct. 30.

This week, on July 31, the market will collaborate with New River Valley Community services to provide information on available resources in the area, and there will be ornaments, honey/jam, natural soaps, lemonade, baked goods and more for sale.

Stay up to date on market offerings and news, and special events at the market, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChristiansburgFarmersMarket.